Welch on Monday won a unanimous endorsement from the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. The 13-0 vote virtually guarantees Senate confirmation today.

Welch, or Hancock, would join Commissioners Vendean Vafiades and David Littell on the PUC. Welch served as chairman of the PUC from 1993 to 2005 and before that was a law school professor, chief deputy attorney general for Pennsylvania’s antitrust division and in-house counsel for Bell Atlantic.

Welch would fill a slot vacated by PUC Chairman Jack Cashman, who’s served since 2008.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.